Helio Gracie Memorial

The homages to Helio Gracie continue. I received a PDF file from our Rio de Janeiro-based contributor to the FightWorks Podcast, Colin Foster that contains both a cartoon of Helio Gracie on his way into the Pearly Gates, and a much more serious obituary article. Both come from O Globo, the main newspaper in Rio and the same source as the video embedded above.

Rorion Gracie is Helio Gracie’s first son and one of the founders of the UFC. His Gracie Academy in Los Angeles sent this out for those who are in the Southern California area:

To honor his request and his legacy, the Gracie Academy will host a celebratory gathering/slideshow presentation on Saturday, February 7, 2009. In anticipation of a large turnout of friends and family, we intend to have three showings starting at 4:00pm, 5:00pm and 6:00pm.

Did your Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy do anything special to recognize the passing of Helio Gracie? Tell us about it in the comments below…